Alignable end seals for a splice case

ABSTRACT

A device for sealing the ends of a splice case. The device comprises two end seals rigidly fixed to each other by connecting members. Each end seal is made of two mating end pieces which are tightly clamped together about the cables by mechanical means. The connecting members provide alignment of the end seals during and after assembly of the splice case and provide a conducting path for the cable shields to bridge the splice.

15] 3,692,926 [4 1 Sept. 19, 1972 United States Patent Smith 3,337,6818/1967 Smith.........................174/92 3,076,655 2/1963Washburn........ ....277/66 UX [54] ALIGNABLE END SEALS FOR A SPLICECASE Primary ExaminerSamuel B. Rothberg Attorney-Lyon & Lyon [72]Inventor: Donald J. Smith, Canoga Park,

Calif.

[73] Assignee: Smith-Schreyer8zAssoe,

[22] Filed:

Inc.

July 6, 1971 ABSTRACT ng the ends of a splice case. The vice comprisestwo end seals ii 21 A I. No.: 159956 A for I 1 pp de gidly fixed to eachother by connecting members. Each end seal is made [52] US. Cl. 277/199,174/77 f two mating end pieces which are tightly clamped [51] Int. 41/00together about the cables y mechanical means The [53] 9""277/l9966174/9277 connecting members provide alignment of the endseals during and after assembly of the splice case and [56] ReferencesCited provide a conducting path for the cable shields to UNITED STATESPATENTS bndse the p 3,545,773 12/1970 Smith........................277/199 15 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEUSEP19 I972 sum 2 OF 2 INVENTOR, DOA/A40 J 5/14/77? A fra /v6 49 ALIGNABLEEND SEALS FOR A SPLICE CASE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In US. Pat. No.3,337,681 to Donald J. Smith there is disclosed a splice case for use inprotecting cable splices from corrosion and the like. The details ofsuch a splice case are fully set forth in the aforementioned patent, thedisclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. In U.S. Pat.No. 3,545,773 (the Smith patent) there is disclosed a basic end seal fora splice case. The present invention is derived from that basic end sealdisclosed in the Smith patent.

The end seals disclosed in the Smith patent are each made of two endpieces which are semicircular hollow shells filled with foamed plastic,which itself is impervious to the passage of air. Channels are cut ineach of the end pieces to accommodate one or more cables when the twoend pieces are mated together. Suitable sealing material is positionedbetween the cable and the end pieces in the respective channels toinsure a tight seal. The end pieces which are mated around the cablesare held in position by the splice case which is subsequently placedaround the splice and the end seals.

These and similar end seals are quite effective and easily installed inmost cable splice applications. However, when large cables are to bespliced certain disadvantages become apparent. With large cablediameters, the force required to mate the two end pieces of each endseal becomes excessive. These forces required with large cables are toogreat for a man to provide without mechanical aid. Also, such forcesdistort the end pieces which can prevent an effective seal. A seconddisadvantage with existing seals when used with large cable sizesresults from the fact that it is advantageous for easy handling andfabrication to reduce the proportionate thickness of the end seal withrespect to its overall diameter for large diameters. Such a reduction inthe relative thickness of the end seal results in a tendency for the endseal to become misaligned while assembling the'splice case. This isespecially true with the large cables because they are very rigid andcomparatively inflexible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is toprovide a device for sealing the ends of a cable splice enclosurethrough which the spliced cables pass. More specifically, the device isintended to solve the problems associated with the sealing of splices oflarge and very rigid cables where abnormal structural demands arerequired of the seal during fabrication and while in place. A secondobject of the present invention is to provide an electrical junction forthe cable shields associated with the spliced cables. To accomplish thescaling function, the device provides a seal at each end of a splicecase. Each seal is made of two mating end pieces which are semicircularshells filled with foamed plastic which is impervious to the passage ofair. Provision is made for one or more cables to pass through the matedend pieces by cutting appropriate channels in each end piece.Appropriate sealing strips are positioned between the cable and themating end pieces so that an interference fit is created when the endpieces are mated with the cables in place. To meet the structuralrequirements associated with large cables, an end piece support memberis located about the perimeter of each mating end piece which lendsstructural rigidity to that end piece. Provided in the end piece supportmember are means for mechanically mating the two end pieces together.This mechanical tie provides further support to the seal therebypreventing the rigid cables from separating the two mated end pieces.The mechanical mating means also provide added force for creating andretaining sufficient pressure in the interference fit between the cableand the end pieces for an adequate seal.

Adjustable rigid mechanical linkages are employed which anchor into theend piece support members and which rigidly align the two assembled endseals relative to one another. These rigid members actto preventmisalignment of the end seals which becomes a problem with large cablesplice applications. The increased probability of misalignment whichexists with end seals having relatively large overall diameter tothickness ratios and with rigid cables that tend not to remain alignedwith one another is thus greatly reduced. These alignment members alsoprovide a means for bridging the various cable shield connections aroundthe enclosed splice. Near each of the end seals, the cable shields areelectrically connected to one of the alignment members which therebyeffects an extended junction between the various cable shields. Thisinsures that the grounded shield circuit will not come in contact withany part of the actual splice.

By designing both the end piece support members and the alignmentmembers to run peripherallyabout the end pieces and through the casenear the outer diameter, the advantage disclosed in the Smith patent ofallowing a single end seal to handle one or several cables of manyvarying diameters has not been compromised.

The various structural members employed in the present invention havealso facilitated the assembly of the complete cable splice enclosure.The alignment members act to hold the end seals which in turn hold thespliced cables and the splice itself while the side members for thecable splice enclosure are positioned. Before the employment of thepresent device, the side members had to be assembled about two end sealsheld together only by the semirigid or nonrigid splice. Thus,misalignment and damage to the splice occurring during assembly isprevented. Employment of the means for tying the two end pieces of eachend splice together also aids in assembly. Before the present inventionproviding for each end seal to be independently held in the matedposition by the mechanical tying means, the entire splice case had to beassembled before any of the various parts could be locked together. Thisis because the last parts to be assembled, the side members, acted aloneto provide the structural means for mating the end pieces as well asfixing the end splices relative to each other. In summary, by thisinvention there is provided a novel device for providing a versatilecable splice seal which is capable of handling a variety of cables inboth size and number and simultaneously providing structural means forinsuring the structural integrity of the seal. It also assists inproviding structural support to the splice itself by rigidly positioningthe cables about the splice. Furthermore, the device aids in theassembly of the complete splice case by independently fixing the variousparts relative to each other as the overall case is assembled. The dualfunction of the alignment members to act as a conductor for the shieldsto circumvent the splice is also of novel import.

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent upon reference to the accompanying description anddrawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partially assembled viewof the splice case shown with a typical splice of two cables.

FIG. 2 is'an end view of a partially assembled end seal.

FIG. 3 is a perspective of one mating end piece shown with a channelalready cut.

FIG. 4 is a cross section taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a top view of an end seal showing an altemate configuration.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the drawings, the body ofthe splice case is shown as two side members 10. Each side member 10 isformed in a semicircular shape with mating flanges 11 running the lengthof the semicircular side members. It is desirable to fabricate the sidemembers 10 from a strong rigid material such as sheet metal or resilientplastic. The flanges 11 have flat mating surfaces 12 which are alignedin a plane running through the geometric center of the circle describedby the inner surface of each side member 10 in order that a cylindricalinner surface will be fonned when the two side members are assembled.Holes 13 are provided to allow the fastening of the side members 10together using common fasteners such as rivets or bolts and nuts. It isimportant that a sufficient number of holes 13 be provided to insure anadequate seal between the side members 10. The proper spacing of theholes 13 is highly dependent upon the material used for the side membersand the loads placed on the fastening devices. Thus, the number of holes13 required must be empirically determined for each enclosureconfiguration. A second set of flanges 14 are provided to add furtherstructural rigidity to the flange 11 which aids in effecting a flatsealing surface 12. The inner surface of the side members 10 is linedwith a layer 15 of soft inert plastic such as neoprene.

The two end seals 16 are each assembled from two mating end pieces. Thebody of the end pieces 17 is composed of a hard thin shell 18 which ismost conveniently molded plastic such as polyethylene or polypropylene.The outer curved surface of the end pieces 17 have ridges 19. Theseridges l9 improve the seal between the mated side members 10 and the endseals 16. The shell 18 is filled with a body of foamed plastic 20 suchas Styrofoam. The foamed plastic 20 is preferably bonded to the innersurface of the shell 18 by a suitable adhesive. The plastic filler 20can be either cut to shape and then bonded in the shell 18 or foamed inplace. The curved surface of the plastic shell 18 is constructed so asto provide for the end piece support member 21. The end piece supportmember 21 is composed of a semicircular body of strong rigid materialsuch as aluminum. The member 21 is placed around the periphery of theend piece 17 to enhance its rigidity and to transmit a mating force whenthe seal is assembled. The member 21 should be recessed below the outerridges 19 so as not to interfere with the seal created between the sidemembers 10 and the ridges 19. It is advantageous to construct the member21 so as to form a channel in cross section. The channel provides alight construction and yet allows sufficient tensile and flexurestrength for its required function.

The two mating end pieces 17 are rigidly held together by two mechanicalmating means which form part of the end adapters 22 provided on the bodyof the end piece support members 21. A preferred design for themechanical mating means is the incorporation of threaded bolts 23 actingthrough suitably sized holes 24. On one of the two mating end pieces 17,the holes 24 should be threaded to accept the bolts 23. If the end piecesupport members 21 are to be made from aluminum, it is advantageous toprovide a threaded insert to work in cooperation with the threaded bolts23 to avoid any problems associated with threaded aluminum. It isadvantageous to use threaded bolts 23 because they are capable ofacquiring the mating end piece 17 before the end pieces are finallymated together. This allows the use of mechanical means to aid in matingthe end pieces which can require substantial force when the device isused with large rigid cables.

The adjustable alignment means for rigidly aligning the end seals 16 isshown as a rigid mechanical linkage made from a pair of rods 25 rigidlypositioned within each end seal 16 in channels 26 provided in each endadapter 22. The channels 26 are also extended through the inside portionof each end piece 17 to accommodate the rods 25. The rods 25 are alignedand rigidly fixed relative to each other by a rigid coupling member suchas a channel member 27 which is secured to each rod 25 by fasteners 28such as the bolts illustrated. Adjustment of the alignment means isprovided by having a plurality of selectable holes 29 through which thefasteners 28 may act. The holes 29 on one side of the channel membershould be threaded to secure the bolts 28 in the member. Alternatively,nuts could be used in cooperation with the bolts 28. The rods 25 arerestrained from being extracted from the channel 26 by having the bolt23 pass through the rods 25. A retaining screw 30 is provided for easeof assembly. An alternative configuration for rigidly fixing the rod 25to the end seal 16 is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In the alternateconfiguration, the rod is placed at the edge of the end seal 16 in orderthat it may be removed without demating the end pieces 17. A second bolt31 is also provided to retain the rod 25 within the channel 26 in orderthat the bolt 23 need not be removed. A conductor clamp 32 is providedon one of the rods emanating from each of the end seals 16. The cableshields are then connected to the conductor clamps to form a completedjunction through the rods 25 and adjustable connection 27. In thismanner the shield wires need not come within dangerous range ofcontacting the cable splice illustrated as 33.

The splice case is assembled by first cutting the channels 34 in the endpieces 17. The device is illustrated with one channel but a multiplenumber of channels may be formed along the mating surface when amultiple number of cables are spliced. The cutting of the end walls 35of the shell 18 can be accomplished by using a circular cutter or othersimilar tool. Once the end walls 35 have been cut to size, a suitablerasp, knife or other tool may be used to cut the filler plastic foam 20.A strip 36 of mastic or other suitable sealing material is laid acrossthe mating surface of the end piece 16 so as to cover the channel 34.The cable 37 is then placed in the channel 34 with the strip 36 locatedbetween the cable 37 and the end piece 17. A second strip 36 is placedover the cable and the second end piece is then mated with the first endpiece. The alignment rods 25 should be positioned in the end pieces 17before the seal is assembled. After both end seals 16 have beenassembled around the cables 37, the adjustable member 27 must be coupledto both alignment rods 25 to insure that the end seals 16 are properlyaligned. The cable shields are then connected with the wire clamps 32 toform a proper electrical connection. Finally, the side members areclamped about the splice and end seals thus completing the assembly ofthe splice case.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that a splice case is provided whichis versatile in its application and easily assembled. Again, it shouldbe mentioned that multiple channels 34 can be made in the various endpieces 17 where a multiple number of cables are to be spliced. Also, thesplice cables may be of varying diameters as the channels 34 arefabricated at the time of assembly when compensations may be made.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms not departing fromthe spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present embodiment istherefore to be considered in all respects illustrative and notrestrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appendedclaims rather than by the foregoing description and all changes whichcome within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims aretherefore intended to be embraced therein.

I claim:

1. An assembly for sealing both ends of a splice case, said assemblycomprising a pair of end seals and adjustable means for rigidly aligningsaid end seals relative to each other; said end seals each comprising apair of mating end pieces having channels provided across the matingsurfaces thereof to accommodate one or more cables; means for securingsaid end pieces together, said securing means comprising an annularmember located about the periphery of said mating end pieces, saidannular member having means receiving said alignment means therein.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said end pieces are hollow shellmembers filled with a body of cuttable foamed material impervious to thepassage of air.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said adjustable alignment meanscomprises a plurality of rigid members extending from said end seals andrigid coupling members; said rigid members and said coupling membersbeing assembled to fonn rigid mechanical linkages between said endseals.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said adjustable alignment meanscomprises a plurality of rigid members extending from said end seals,rigid coupling members, and conductor clamps; said conductor clampsbeing located in close proximity to each of said end seals; said rigidmembers and said coupling members being assembled to form rigid,conductive, mechanical linkages between said end seals.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said alignment means comprises aplurality of rigid rods extending from said end seals and channelmembers bolted to said rods to form rigid mechanical linkages betweensaid end seals.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said adjustable alignment meanscomprises a plurality of rigid rods extending from said end seals andchannel members bolted to said rods to form rigid mechanical linkagesbetween said end seals; each of said channel members having a pluralityof selectable holes for bolting said channel member to said rods inorder that the efl'ective length of said channel member may alternatelybe selected.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for positioningsaidalignment means comprises channels cut across the mating surfaces ofsaid end adapters of said end piece support members to accommodate saidadjustable alignment means and tying means to prevent longitudinalmovement of said adjustable means relative to said channels.

8. A means for sealing both ends of a splice case, said means comprisinga pair of end seals and adjustable means for rigidly aligning said endseals relative to each other; said end seals each comprising a pair ofmating end pieces having channels provided across the mating surfaces ofsaid end pieces to accommodate cables passing through said end seals andmeans for rigidly fixing said adjustable alignment means to said endseals.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein said end pieces are hollow shellmembers filled with a body of cuttable foamed material impervious to thepassage of air.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein said adjustable alignment meanscomprises a plurality of rigid members extending into the splice casefrom said end seals and rigid coupling members; said rigid members andsaid coupling members being assembled to form rigid mechanical linkagesbetween said end seals.

11. The device of claim 8, wherein said adjustable alignment meanscomprises a plurality of rigid members extending from said end seals,rigid coupling members, and conductor clamps; said conductor clampsbeing located in close proximity to each of said end seals; said rigidmembers and said coupling members being assembled to form rigid,conductive, mechanical linkages between said end seals.

12. The device of claim 8, wherein said adjustable alignment meanscomprises a plurality of rigid rods extending from said end seals andchannel members bolted to said rods to form rigid mechanical linkagesbetween said end seals.

13. The device of claim 8, wherein said adjustable alignment meanscomprises a plurality of rigid rods extending from said end seals andchannel members bolted to said rods to form rigid mechanical linkagesbetween end seals; each of said channel members having a plurality ofselectable holes for bolting said channel member to said rods in orderthat the effective length of said channel member may alternately beselected.

14. The device of claim 8, wherein said means for positioning saidalignment means comprises channels cut across the mating surfaces ofsaid and pieces to accommodate said adjustable alignment means and tyingmeans to prevent longitudinal movement of said adjustable means relativeto said channels.

15. The device of claim 8, wherein said end pieces each include an endpiece support member.

Disclaimer 3,692,926.D0nald J. Smith, Canoga Park, Calif. ALIGNABLE ENDSEALS FOR A SPLICE CASE. Patent dated Sept. 19, 1972. Disclaimer filedJan. 25, 1979, by the assignee, Smz'th-Schmyw and Assam, Inc.

Hereby enters this disclaimer to all claims of said patent.

[Ojficz'al Gazette June 1-9, 1979.]

1. An assembly for sealing both ends of a splice case, said assemblycomprising a pair of end seals and adjustable means for rigidly aligningsaid end seals relative to each other; said end seals each comprising apair of mating end pieces having channels provided across the matingsurfaces thereof to accommodate one or more cables; means for securingsaid end pieces together, said securing means comprising an annularmember located about the periphery of said mating end pieces, saidannular member having means receiving said alignment means therein. 2.The device of claim 1 wherein said end pieces are hollow shell membersfilled with a body of cuttable foamed material impervious to the passageof air.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said adjustable alignmentmeans comprises a plurality of rigid members extending from said endseals and rigid coupling members; said rigid members and said couplingmembers being assembled to form rigid mechanical linkages between saidend seals.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein said adjustable alignmentmeans comprises a plurality of rigid members extending from said endseals, rigid coupling members, and conductor clamps; said conductorclamps being located in close proximity to each of said end seals; saidrigid members and said coupling members being assembled to form rigid,conductive, mechanical linkages between said end seals.
 5. The device ofclaim 1, wherein said alignment means comprises a plurality of rigidrods extending from said end seals and channel members bolted to saidrods to form rigid mechanical linkages between said end seals.
 6. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein said adjustable alignment means comprises aplurality of rigid rods extending from said end seals and channelmembers bolted to said rods to form rigid mechanical linkages betweensaid end seals; each of said channel members having a plurality ofselectable holes for bolting said channel member to said rods in orderthat the effective length of said channel member may alternately beselected.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for positioningsaid alignment means comprises channels cut across the mating surfacesof said end adapters of said end piece support members to accommodatesaid adjustable alignment means and tying means to prevent longitudinalmovement of said adjustable means relative to said channels.
 8. A meansfor sealing both ends of a splice case, said means comprising a pair ofend seals and adjustable means for rigidly aligning said end sealsrelative to each other; said end seals each comprising a pair of matingend pieces having channels provided across the mating surfaces of saidend pieces to accommodate cables passing through said end seals andmeans for rigidly fixing said adjustable alignment means to said endseals.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein said end pieces are hollowshell members filled with a body of cuttable foamed material imperviousto the passage of air.
 10. The device of claim 8, wherein saidadjustable alignment means comprises a plurality of rigid membersextending into the splice case from said end seals and rigid couplingmembers; said rigid members and said coupling members being assembled toform rigid mechanical linkages between said end seals.
 11. The device ofclaim 8, wherein said adjustable alignment means comprises a pluralityof rigid members extending from said end seals, rigid coupling members,and conductor clamps; said conductor clamps being located in closeproximity to each of said end seals; said rigid members and saidcoupling members being assembled to form rigid, conductive, mechanicallinkages between said end seals.
 12. The device of claim 8, wherein saidadjustable Alignment means comprises a plurality of rigid rods extendingfrom said end seals and channel members bolted to said rods to formrigid mechanical linkages between said end seals.
 13. The device ofclaim 8, wherein said adjustable alignment means comprises a pluralityof rigid rods extending from said end seals and channel members boltedto said rods to form rigid mechanical linkages between end seals; eachof said channel members having a plurality of selectable holes forbolting said channel member to said rods in order that the effectivelength of said channel member may alternately be selected.
 14. Thedevice of claim 8, wherein said means for positioning said alignmentmeans comprises channels cut across the mating surfaces of said endpieces to accommodate said adjustable alignment means and tying means toprevent longitudinal movement of said adjustable means relative to saidchannels.
 15. The device of claim 8, wherein said end pieces eachinclude an end piece support member.